CONTAMINATED drinking water was responsible for an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in the North West last year.

A total of 308 cases of infection were identified in four health authority areas in the region.

An investigation was launched from University Hospital Aintree in Liverpool and concluded that the outbreak was related to drinking water, probably contaminated by sheep, taken from the Thirlmere Reservoir in the Lake District.

The report recommends that North West Water initiates an urgent programme to develop water treatment systems.

Professor Hunter, who led the inquiry, said: "Steps have been taken already by North West Water to remedy the situation and we must now wait and see if these measures have worked.

"People with HIV and other immune deficiency disorders have already been issued with advice to boil all drinking water."